Aesthetics B, 30 credits

About the course

This course as a whole consists of three parts: two regular courses and an essay course.

In the first course (15 credits) we study three central problems within philosophical aesthetics. We start by looking at a specific aesthetic concept (for instance, aesthetic value, aesthetic experience or aesthetic judgment) and investigate various theories and definitions of how the concept should be understood. Secondly, we turn to an issue about art in general or a specific art form to gain insight into how art may affect us and why we think that art is valuable (for instance: "Can music express emotions?" or "How does a painting differ from a photograph?"). We end by looking at an issue that concerns the broadening of aesthetics into domains outside of art (for instance: "How do we experience nature aesthetically?" or "Can functional or everyday objects be beautiful?"). The specific issues treated may vary from semester to semester.

After the first course you choose one of two elective courses (7.5 credits). Example of previous courses are Ontology of Art and Classics of Aesthetics. Upcoming elective courses.

While the two courses above will give you a deepened understanding of issues, theories and arguments within philosophical aesthetics, the aim of the final essay course (7.5 credits) is to give you training in the writing of academic essays and to let you develop and formulate your own thoughts about an aesthetic issue.